Sept. 4, 2008

Wake Forest-George Washington Game Notes

Wake Forest-Texas A&M Game Notes

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. - The 10th-ranked Wake Forest women's soccer team hits the road this weekend for a pair of contests in the Hawthorn Suites Hokie Invitational in Blacksburg, Va. The Deacons face George Washington on Friday at 3:30 p.m., before facing No. 11 Texas A&M on Sunday at 11:00 a.m.

"We're considering these Friday-Sunday games like a NCAA Tournament type of format," head coach Tony da Luz said. "We're trying to get a good result on Friday and then take care of business of Sunday."

Wake Forest enters the weekend with a 3-0 record after defeating Francis Marion and UNC-Wilmington. The Deacons have won the first three games of the season for the first time since 2002, when Wake Forest opened the season with nine consecutive victories. Three Deacons are tied for the team lead in goals with three, including junior forward Sarah Winslow, who was named to the Soccer Buzz Elite Team of the Week after posting a hat trick against UNC-Wilmington.

George Washington enters the weekend with a 1-2-0 record. The Colonials are coming off a 3-2 victory over Bryant University. GW is led by Misa Eiritz, who leads the team in goals with two and points with five.

"George Washington is a good, solid 4-4-2 team," da Luz said. "We don't know too many specifics about them. We'll worry about we do in that game and hopefully get a good result."

Texas A&M is 3-1-0 to open the season. Last weekend, the Aggies dropped a 3-2 decision to North Carolina and defeated Indiana 3-1. Rachel Shipley is off to a fast start for the Aggies, leading the team in goals (3), assists (4) and points (10). Amber Gnatzig was named Big 12 Offensive Player of the Week after scoring twice in Texas A&M's loss to North Carolina.

"Texas A&M has a lot of tradition," da Luz added. "Every year they are in the NCAA Tournament and I think they've won the Big 12 the last three of four years. They're a good team with quality players. We play pretty similar styles, so I think it's going to be a good soccer match."

Live stats for both games this weekend will be available at hokiesports.com. A recap from both contests will be available at wakeforestsports.com.

-WakeForestSports.com-